Fleeting to show true Spirit in King’s Stand
FLEETING SPIRIT was sent off 15/8 favourite for this contest 12 months ago, but could only finish third beaten three-quarters length by Equiano. However, what many people forget is that Jeremy Noseda’s yard was under a cloud at the time and he was forced to shut down his operation within days of the meeting ending. When you consider that, Fleeting Spirit’s run was by no means a bad one.
The key to our selection is catching her fresh as she showed when bolting up first time of asking in the Temple Stakes at Haydock last season. Borderlescott, who she meets today, didn’t see which way she went that day and if she turns up in the same heart this afternoon, she’ll be a tough nut to crack.
The majority of speedy horses have been drawn low suggesting all the action will unfold against the stands-side rail. Fleeting Spirit will be switched off in behind from stall one as the likes of Mythical Flight (3), Hoh Hoh Hoh (5), Amour Propre (6) and Captain Gerrard (7) all contest the fierce early pace. If Ryan Moore gets the luck he needs, he should swoop past plenty of tired horses on the retreat.
Elsewhere on the card and many people’s idea of the best bet of the meeting runs in the Coventry Stakes at 4.20pm. CANFORD CLIFFS is extremely well regarded at home and is a confident selection now that Steinbeck stays in Ireland. Richard Hughes has a good chance 35 minutes later in the Ascot Stakes when he rides hat-trick-seeking JUDGETHEMOMENT for Jane Chapple-Hyam. He’ll love the ground and go close if handling the half mile step up in trip.
POINTERS…
FLEETING SPIRIT Royal Ascot 3.05pm
CANFORD CLIFFS Royal Ascot 4.20pm
JUDGETHEMOMENT e/w Royal Ascot 4.55pm